Daily pre-use check · 8 items

Scaffold / Access Tower
pre-use check

The 8 things to look at before the key turns on scaffold / access tower.

Every item below says what good looks like, when it passes, the regulation or manufacturer's standard it rests on and the defects that usually fail it. That guidance is the difference between a tick and a check.

  1. 1.
    Scaffold tag green and current
    What to look forScafftag (or equivalent) at every access point. Front insert green (safe to use) — never red (unsafe) or missing. Date of last inspection within the last 7 days (statutory weekly), and after any event likely to have affected stability (high winds, alteration). Loading class noted.
    Acceptable whenGreen tag in place at every access point. Inspection date within last 7 days. Loading class matches the planned use. Inspector competent (advanced scaffolder for tube-and-fitting handover; PASMA user for towers).
    StandardWork at Height Regs 2005 reg.12 (inspection). NASC SG4 / TG20 (tube and fitting). PASMA TG20 / Code of Practice (towers). CDM 2015 reg.13.
    Common defectsTag has fallen out — assume not inspected, do not useTag in date for last week but the scaffold has been altered sinceLoading class on tag is "very heavy duty" but supports look light-dutyTag from a different scaffold relocated to this oneInspection signature illegible / unverified
  2. 2.
    All boards in place — no gaps
    What to look forBoards level, fully decking the working platform, no traps or gaps >25mm between boards or between boards and the structure. No tipping risk on a single board (boards span ≥3 transoms). Hop-up brackets supported. Boards visually sound — no cracks, knots running through, splits, or saturation.
    Acceptable whenFull decking, gap ≤25mm. Boards spanning ≥3 transoms (or to manufacturer's board spec for system scaffold). Boards within their spec (38mm thick, BS 2482 marked or system equivalent). No damaged boards.
    StandardBS 2482 (timber scaffold boards). NASC SG4 / TG20. PASMA Code of Practice. Work at Height Regs 2005 reg.6.
    Common defectsSingle-board "trap" left where a tube comes throughDamaged board with a heart-split — load capacity reducedBoard only spanning 2 transoms — bouncy underfoot, failWet/saturated boards — strength reducedForeign board (non-BS marked) substituted
  3. 3.
    Guardrails and toe boards secure
    What to look forTop rail nominally 950mm above the platform, intermediate rail with no gap >470mm, toe board ≥150mm. Rails not removed for a "5-minute job", couplers tight (not finger-tight), system scaffold catches engaged.
    Acceptable whenTop rail 950mm, mid rail with ≤470mm gap, toe board ≥150mm. Rails on every open side. Couplers tight (correct torque on system scaffold). Compliant on every level in use.
    StandardWork at Height Regs 2005 reg.6 & Sch.2/Sch.3. NASC TG20:21. PASMA TG20.
    Common defectsTop rail removed for a load-in and not refittedMid rail spacing too generous at one end of the runToe board missing — small object fallsSystem scaffold catch not seated — rail rattlingCoupler nut finger-tight — rail rotates under hand
  4. 4.
    Access ladder secured
    What to look forLadder tied at top and bottom (or stabilised at base), extends ≥1m above the landing for a handhold, on a stable footing, at the correct angle (1:4, ~75°). Stiles undamaged, rungs not greasy. For internal stair towers (system) — gates self-close.
    Acceptable whenLadder secured top and bottom. ≥1m projection above landing. Angle 75° (1:4). Class 1 / EN 131 Professional. Internal stair gates self-close.
    StandardBS 1129 (timber ladders) / BS 2037 (metal ladders) / BS EN 131. Work at Height Regs 2005 reg.6 & Sch.6. NASC SG4. PASMA TG20.
    Common defectsLadder tied with cable tie or fence wire — not adequateLadder shy of 1m projection — no handhold at the landingWrong angle — too steep (slips at base) or too shallow (overload at base)Damaged stile — bend or splitGreasy rungs from a previous painting job
  5. 5.
    Base plates and sole boards in place
    What to look forBase plate at every standard, on a sole board (timber 225mm x 35mm or system) on suitable ground. Sole boards bridging soft ground. Adjustable jacks (where used) within the manufacturer's safe extension.
    Acceptable whenBase plate + sole board on every standard. Sole board sized to spread load on the ground in use. Adjustable jacks within spec extension (often <300mm).
    StandardNASC TG20:21. PASMA TG20. CDM 2015 reg.27.
    Common defectsStandard direct on tarmac with no plateSole board too small for soft ground — point loadJack screwed out fully — bending under loadBase on a service trench cover — eccentricPlate twisted out of square — uneven load on the standard
  6. 6.
    Ties secure (scaffolding)
    What to look forTies at the spacing required by the design (typically every 4m vertically and 4m horizontally for tube-and-fitting in an unsheeted scaffold; closer for sheeted/heavy duty). Through-ties or anchored ties to the building. Drilled-in anchors pull-tested. No removed ties.
    Acceptable whenTie pattern matches the scaffold design / TG20 lookup. Anchored ties pull-tested per the design. No more than 50% of design ties out at any one time during alterations.
    StandardNASC TG20:21 (compliant scaffold) / SG4. BS EN 12811-1. CDM 2015 reg.13.
    Common defectsTie removed by another trade for window installation — never refittedDrilled-in anchor not pull-tested — load capacity unverifiedThrough-tie reveal pin missing — tie ineffective in tensionPattern inconsistent with the design (extra bay added without tie)Anchor in a brick that has spalled out
  7. 7.
    Wheels locked (mobile tower)
    What to look forAll wheels (typically 4) locked when the tower is in use. Wheel brakes positive (not just touching the floor). Stabilisers / outriggers fitted at the height required by PASMA / manufacturer. Tower sitting level.
    Acceptable whenAll wheels locked. Stabilisers fitted at the configuration required for the platform height (e.g. above 4m platform, larger footprint required). Tower level. No movement under hand pressure.
    StandardPASMA TG20 / Code of Practice. BS EN 1004. Manufacturer's instructions. Work at Height Regs 2005 reg.6.
    Common defectsOne wheel brake worn — tower creeps when worked fromStabilisers folded for narrow access and not redeployedTower used at platform height beyond the spec for the footprintTower wheeled with people on board — never permittedWheels locked but on a slope — tower out of plumb
  8. 8.
    No overloading
    What to look forMaterials laid out only on platforms designed for the load class on the tag. Lift loaded only one bay at a time. No stockpiling of bricks/blocks/screed at one bay. No multiple trades on the same lift simultaneously.
    Acceptable whenMaterials within the load class (e.g. very heavy duty 3.0kN/m²; heavy duty 2.5kN/m²; general 2.0kN/m²; light 0.75kN/m²; inspection 0.75kN/m² with point load). Distributed across the bay.
    StandardNASC TG20:21. BS EN 12811-1. PASMA TG20.
    Common defectsPallet of blocks landed on a "general purpose" lift — well over classTwo trades on one lift simultaneously — load class doubledHeavy load on a single bay — bay overload despite total platform being underloadedLoading class on tag misread (e.g. 1.5kN read as 2.5kN)Stockpile blocking the access route as well as overloading

Questions people ask

Who does the pre-use check, and when?

The operator, at the start of every shift and whenever a different operator takes over, before the machine does any work. It is recorded and signed, because a check nobody can prove happened is treated as a check that did not. Hired-in plant gets the same check as your own. Guidance, not legal advice.

What regulation requires it?

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998: regulation 5 (suitability), regulation 6 (maintenance and inspection) and regulations 8 and 9 (information and training). Lifting plant adds LOLER 1998. The manufacturer's daily check schedule in the operator's handbook is the detailed version of the list below.

What happens when a check fails?

The machine does not go to work. Tag it, report the defect, and get a fitter to it. The record of the failed check and the defect report is what protects the operator and the company if anyone asks later why the machine was, or was not, in use.

What competency does the operator need?

For the plant this checklist covers: PASMA Towers for Users. The card proves training; the pre-use check is where the training shows.

Is this the same as a LOLER thorough examination?

No. This is the daily look by the person about to use the machine. Lifting plant also needs a thorough examination by a competent person every 6 or 12 months. The two records sit side by side in the plant file.

Do the check on a phone, signed

The same 8 checks on the operator's phone, photos against each fail, defect reports raised automatically, and a plant register that knows when the LOLER is due. 14 days free.

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